This study presents an analysis of 2 216 European higher education institutions (HEIs) from 27 countries. It investigates determinants of participation in the European Union’s Framework Programme for research and innovation (EU FP), Horizon 2020, and empirically assesses how influential network position affects the chances of applying for and receiving funding in collaborative projects. Having a strong, influential network position in collaborative EU research is found to affect participation in H2020 greatly – suggesting ‘closed clubs’, to the detriment of less influential HEIs. Greater access to resources and capabilities significantly strengthens the effect of network position on EU FP participation.

This paper presents a timely analysis of participation in the 8th European Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (EU FP) Horizon 2020. Our dataset comprises the entire population of research organizations in Norway, enabling us to distinguish between non-applicants, non-successful applicants, and successful participants. We find it important to distinguish two stages of the participation process: the self-selection stage in which organizations decide whether they wish to apply for EU funding, and the second stage in which the European Commission selects the best applications for funding. Our econometric results indicate that the propensity to apply is enhanced by prior participation in EU FPs and the existence of complementary national funding schemes; further, that the probability of succeeding is strengthened by prior participation as well as the scientific reputation of the applicant organization.

Enger, Simen & Castellacci, Fulvio (2016). Who gets Horizon 2020 research grants? Propensity to apply and probability to succeed in a two-step analysis. Presentation of a working paper for CICERO April 28, 2016..